Hey guys! The reapings are almost over. Thank you for all of the reviews, they really help motivate me to keep writing. This chapter is for Infinite Legend and ashelyahh. Thanks for submitting these characters.

The Reaping of District Nine (Enter Paxarol Darason POV)

"Hey babe. How are you doin' today?" I said to a cute girl with red hair, who'd glanced at me as she passed by. She blushed and mumbled a greeting to me before speeding off. My friend and personal conscience, Tweet, looked at me reproachfully.

"You really shouldn't do that to poor, defenseless girls."

"Do what?"

"Get their hopes up like that. Honestly I don't know why they still fall for it. Everyone knows you're a flirt."

"Ouch, Tweet. That hurts." She smiled at me. We were standing by the school with our other friends, Nesh and Fana. Fana isn't social and rarely talks. He just tells me to lay off people from time to time. Nesh has been my best friend since I was young and I'd trust her with my life. She actually likes me I know but I made sure she knew everything with us was strictly platonic. I had too much fun with girls right now to think about just being with one.

"Oh gosh look at the time guys! We'd all better go the reapings are starting soon!" cried Nesh.

Tweet and I left together since we were next door neighbors. We talked about meaningless topics, like school, people we thought were cute, but not about the imminent reaping. Not ever about the reaping. It was painful enough knowing someone you knew could be shipped off to die, but thinking about how it could be you is even worse.

Tweet waved goodbye to me as she entered her house. I sprinted up the steps and walked into our tiny kitchen, almost running into my little sister, Rissel. She had the same dark blue eyes and blond hair that I did. She was 13 and terrified by everything, especially the reapings. Even though she smiled at me you could see fear in her eyes. I gave her a hug.

"Hey Rissel."

"Hi Pax. Momma wants you to help her cook." I loved cooking with my mother. It was the one time in the day when the whole family came together. My father would be home from the fields, mother would be home from the dress shop, and Rissel and I would be back from school. I would read aloud to Rissel as I chopped and slice food for dinner. Father and mother would laugh aloud at my jokes.

It was the one time I could ever actually say I was happy. Not today though. Tension filled the air like hot, thick steam. Any smiles that appeared on my family's faces looked strained and disappeared immediately. There was no laughter. We ate quickly and went upstairs to make sure we were presentable.

In my not so humble opinion I think I'm pretty good looking. I made sure to come every knot out of my blond hair before carefully slicking it back. I put on and old reaping outfit of my father's and went to meet everyone outside. My sister looked beautiful. I just wish she didn't have to look pretty for this occasion. She could have been made of glass; pretty, fragile, and able to break at any minute.

We made it to the square our parents looked, if possible, worse than me and Rissel probably felt. My mother hugged us looking as if she was going to burst into tears. My father pulled us into a double hug and said, "Good luck. We love you," before putting an arm around our mothers' shoulders and walking off. I walked Rissel over to the 13 section and hugged her.

"Promise to be okay?" She asked me.

"As okay as I can be." Rissel nodded.

I found Fana in the 16 section. He isn't a talker on the best of days, but now words failed him completely. We waited. Soon our mayor was taking the mike, ready for his small repeating role in the reaping. Then Nichoyre Fury, our escort was taking the mike. He is the scariest looking person I know. He has fat bug eyes and canary yellow beehive hair. There's no one in the whole world who should find that attractive. Ever.

He went to the girls' reaping ball. I sent up a quick prayer for Rissel's safety. Being drawn in the reaping would kill her. Literally.

"Seattle Illis."

"I volunteer!" My mind had gone reeling. Did District 9 just get a volunteer for the first time ever? Who was the chick who had just volunteered thinking? Well at least it hadn't been Rissel. It seemed to be from a great distance that I heard the mystery girl say her name.

"Chicago Illis."

Now it was onto the boys. I crossed my fingers in prayer for Fana who stood next to me, rigid as a board. But he wasn't the one who needed divine help, because the name Nichoyre said was mine: "Paxarol Darason."

Crap.

_Flashback 3 Hours_

(Enter Chicago Illis POV)

The annoying little beast was crying again. I watched as my mother rushed over to him and picked him up out if his cradle. I really didn't understand what all the fuss was about when it came to my baby brother Boston. All he did was ate, slept, and cried. If he was useful he wouldn't do that. Try convincing everyone else in this house about that.

My parents don't understand why that, in the 3 months that have passed since he's been born, that Boston hasn't grown on me. Actually I'm still waiting for my parents to grow on me. I hate them both. I dislike my father because he's a part of the capitol. Who would volunteer for Peacekeeper service? Who would want to be a head peacekeeper? My mother is too strict and was always nagging me for something or other. She hates the way I dress, denouncing me as looking to goth like. Too bad for her since I didn't care. Plus she was deeply interested into the world before Panem; which is why she named my elder sister, younger brother, and I all after ancient cities. Who the hell would name their child Chicago? The name was stupid.

My sister Seattle was the only one I didn't mind. I'm a little jealous of her, I'll admit, because she is sort of pretty with her dark grey eyes. She's 18 and everyone loves her, thinking that she's the perfect everything.

My mother's sharp voice cut across my thoughts: "Seattle! Chicago! Go get ready for the reaping now. We can't be late."

Seattle and I rose from the living room and proceeded down the hall. I entered my room and turned to my mirror to assess my appearance. I have pixie-style blond hair with sky blue eyes. I am never caught dead without my eyeliner on. I turn to my closet for inspiration. Soon I decide on dark skinny jeans with a black lace shirt and black heels. For a finishing touch I add my favorite black rose necklace. Without waiting for anyone else I leave my house.

As I walk to the square on my own I pass numerous other people. Many of them skirt around me. I get some frightened looks. This makes me happy. I don't like other people so naturally I don't mind frightening them. Despite this I still wish there were some way that I could break the stereotypes that surround me. No worries I'll find some type of way to break free soon enough.

The square had filled around me. The reaping had begun. I spared no energy to listen to the mayor or Nichoyre Fury. I had no care for what they had to say. Soon they girl tributes name was being called.

"Seattle Illis." My sister. Maybe this is the chance I've been waiting for. To show people that yes I do have a soul. Besides this will be a chance to stand out. So I spoke up and volunteered for Seattle.

"I volunteer." I immediately hear the shocked mutterings and saw the strange looks my pronouncement had drawn. Inside I was happy; my plan had worked. I stood on stage for all to see as the male tribute was selected.

"Paxarol Darason." A handsome boy walked forward even though his face was so hard it could have been carved of stone. He made his way to the stage. I knew him of course. Everyone knew Paxarol Darason. The mayor came back and finished up the speaking that was required of him. Soon he was presenting us to the crowd: "Ladies and Gentlemen. I give you our tributes, Chicago Illis and Paxarol Darason."

So sorry for the update delay. I've been sicker than a dog for the past month. School has been taking its toll. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!